The Bishop called on the Rev. Gene Smitherman to present the report
on the Committee on Constitution and Canons. Mr. Smitherman presented
the following resolutions concerning changes to the constitution of
the diocese for adoption on second reading. Mr. Smitherman announced
that Resolution #6 had been withdrawn. Mr. Smitherman moved that Resolutions
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 be voted on as a group rather than individually.
Motion carried
Resolutions to be considered as a group
Mr. Smitherman on behalf of the Committee on Constitution and Canons
moved the following resolutions and recommended they be adopted.
Resolution #1 Change to Diocesan Constitution (Second
Reading)
CONSTITUTION OF THE DIOCESE
OF EAST TENNESSEE
The Clergy and Laity of The Episcopal Church in the Counties of Anderson,
Bledsoe, Blount, Bradley, Campbell, Claiborne, Carter, Cocke, Cumberland,
Grainger, Greene, Hancock, Hamilton, Hamblen, Hawkins, Jefferson, Johnson,
Knox, Loudon, Marion, McMinn, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Polk, Rhea, Roane,
Scott, Sequatchie, Sevier, Sullivan, Unicoi, Union and Washington in the
State of Tennessee, and all that territory within the State of Georgia,
encompassed within the boundary lines of the Counties of Dade and Catoosa
and the northern portion of the County of Walker as shown as Census Tracts
Nos. 201, 202, 203, 204 and 205 upon the Walker County Census Tract Map
dated August, 1967, for the purpose of promoting the cause of religion
and piety, establishing order and securing to themselves and posterity
the advantages of the ministry and ordinances of the Church, do ordain
and establish this Constititution for the Diocese:
Resolution #2 Change to Article III on Meetings
of the Convention
(Second Reading)
ARTICLE III. Meetings of the Convention.
Sec. 1. The Convention is hereby established as the legislative body
of the Diocese, and it shall exercise such powers at its annual or special
meetings as are not held by the Bishop or other entity of the Diocese.
Sec. 2. Membership in the Convention shall be determined in accordance
with Article IV of this Constitution and the Canons of the Diocese.
Sec. 3. The Annual Meeting of the Convention shall be held at such
time and place as shall have been appointed by action of a preceding
meeting of the Convention. The Bishop, or if there be no Bishop, the
Standing Committee, for any good or urgent cause moving thereto, may
change the time and place appointed.
Sec. 4. Special meetings of the Convention may be called by the Ecclesiastical
Authority. At least thirty days' notice shall be given of the time and
place of, and the business to be transacted at, such meeting to all
the Clergy entitled to seats and to all Parishes and Missions entitled
to representation. No other business shall be transacted than that stated
in the notice of such meeting.
Resolution #3 Changes to Article IV on Membership
of the Convention
(Second Reading)
ARTICLE IV. The Membership of the Convention.
The membership of the Convention shall be composed of members of the
Clergy canonically resident in the Diocese and Delegates elected as members,
constituting one deliberative body and each shall be entitled to a seat
and vote in the Convention. Each Parish and each Organized Mission in
union with the Diocese shall be entitled to representation in the Convention
by Delegates in such numbers as shall be prescribed by Canon; provided,
no member of the Clergy shall be entitled to a vote in the Convention
if otherwise prohibited by this constitution or Canon; and provided, that
any Parish or Mission ceasing, in the judgment of the Convention or as
provided by Canon, to function as such shall be suspended from representation
therein. At the option of the Convention, any Parish which does not continue
to fulfill the canonical conditions required for admission as a Parish,
may be placed in the status of a Mission. Provision shall be made by Canon
for the adjudication of any cases arising hereunder.
Resolution #4 Changes to Article V on Quorum (Second
Reading)
ARTICLE V. Quorum
One third of all Clergy canonically resident in the Diocese and one
third of all the Delegates entitled to seats and votes shall constitute
a quorum for the transaction of business or meetings of the Convention,
and a majority of those present at a meeting of the Convention may adjourn.
Resolution #5 Changes to Article IV on Clergy and Laity Deliberations
(Second Reading)
ARTICLE VI. Clergy and Delegates to Deliberate in One Body
In all matters that shall come before the Convention, the Clergy and
Delegates shall deliberate in one body, and decisions shall be by a majority
vote of those present, provided that upon the request of ten percent of
the membership of Convention shall vote separately by the Clergy and Delegates,
and a majority vote of each shall be necessary for approval.
Resolution #7 Changes to Article VIII on Secretary
and Treasurer
(Second Reading)
Sec. 3. The Secretary shall be elected annually, and it shall be the duty
of the Secretary to record the proceedings of the Convention, to notify
the Parishes generally of the time and place of meeting of the Convention,
to preserve its Journals and records, to attest to public proceedings
of the body, and faithfully deliver into the hands of the successor Secretary
all books and papers relative to the concerns of the Convention which
may be in the possession of such person.
Sec. 4. The Treasurer shall be elected annually, and it shall be the
duty of the Treasurer to receive and disburse the funds of the Convention,
by the order thereof, and to render an account of transactions to each
annual meeting of the Convention.
Resolution #8 Changes to Article IX on The Standing
Committee
(Second Reading)
ARTICLE VIII The Standing Committee
Sec. 1. There shall be a Standing Committee of the Diocese of six persons,
consisting of three Clergy and three Lay Members who shall be Confirmed
Communicants in good standing. The term of each member of the Standing
Committee shall be three years, and at each annual meeting of the Convention,
one Clergy and one Lay Member shall be elected to replace those members
whose terms have expired. The commencement and expiration dates of the
terms of office of such persons shall be as provided by the Canons.
The Standing Committee shall have the power to fill any vacancy in its
body until the next annual meeting of the Convention, with the approval
of the Bishop and Council, at which time a person shall be of the same
order, Lay or Clergy, as the member leaving the Committee. The Committee
shall be empowered to perform all other acts, which may be required
of it by the Constitution and Canons of the Episcopal Church or the
Convention of this Diocese. A member shall be ineligible for re-election
for one year after the completion of two successive full three-year
terms. At the conclusion of the annual meeting of the Convention the
Standing Committee shall meet to elect a President from its members
and to conduct such other business as may be appropriate.
Resolution #9 Changes to Article X on Wardens and Vestry (Second
Reading)
ARTICLE IX Wardens and Vestry
Sec. 1. Each Parish of the Diocese shall elect a Vestry, consisting of
adult Confirmed Communicants in good standing, who shall be registered
communicants of the Parish at the time of election. The time and manner
of such election, and the number of Vestry members shall be prescribed
by canon.
Sec. 2. The Vestry shall elect a Senior Warden and a Junior Warden
out of its own body. At its option, however, a Parish, by law, may permit
the selection of the Senior Warden by other procedures. The Vestry shall
also elect a Secretary and Treasurer, and delegates to the Convention,
all of whom shall be Confirmed Communicants in good standing; and shall
exercise all other powers vested in a Vestry by the usages of the Church.
Members of the Vestry shall continue in office until a new Vestry is
chosen. In all meetings of the Vestry the Rector shall preside, or,
in the absence of the Rector, the Senior Warden, or, in the absence
of the Rector and Senior Warden one designated by the body.
Resolution #10 Changes on Article XI on Election
of A Bishop
(Second Reading)
ARTICLE X Election of a Bishop
The election of a Bishop of this Diocese shall be by a vote of the Clergy
and Delegates taken concurrently in a meeting of the Convention called
pursuant to Article III. The vote shall be taken separately by Clergy
and Delegates, and a two-thirds concurrent vote in each order shall be
necessary for the election of a Bishop. Immediately after an election
the Convention shall proceed to sign the testimonials.
Resolution #11 Changes to Article XII on Amending the Constitution
ARTICLE XI Constitution, How Amended
Any proposition for the alteration or amendment of this Constitution
must be made in writing, and assented to by a majority of the members
in Convention. The alteration or amendment shall be effective at the
close of the succeeding annual meeting, unless the adopting amendment
provides otherwise, upon approval by two-thirds of those members present
at that meeting.
Motion carried
Resolutions adopted
On behalf of the Committee on Constitution and Canons, Mr. Smitherman
moved the following resolution and recommended adoption.
Resolution #17 - Changes to Canon 5. Deputies To General Convention
and Provincial Synod
Sec. 1. At the Annual Convention in the calendar year next preceding
the calendar year in which the General Convention meets, or at such
time as directed by the General Convention, the diocesan Convention
shall elect four Clerical and four Lay Deputies to represent this Diocese
in the next General Convention, and also a like number of Alternate
Deputies in each order. The bishop shall appoint with the Standing Committee's
approval sufficient Deputies to fill the slate for the General Convention
in case a sufficient number of Deputies and Alternates is not available
to serve. [Remaining sections are unchanged.]
Motion carried
Resolutions adopted
Mr. Smitherman moved the following resolution and recommended adoption.
Resolution #18 - Changes to Canon 9. Committee
On Constitution And Canons
Sec. 1. There shall be a Committee on Constitution and Canons, composed
of four Priests and three Lay Persons, at least one of whom shall be an
attorney at law, and the Chancellor shall be an ex-officio member. Committee
members shall be appointed by the Bishop for staggered terms of three
years. All Lay Members shall be Confirmed Communicants in Good Standing.
Sec. 2. It shall be the duty of the Committee, as soon as possible
after adjournment of each session of the General Convention, to ascertain
whether changes have been made in the General Canons and to report to
the next succeeding Annual Convention of the Diocese whether any changes
are required in the Constitution or Canons of the Diocese in order to
conform to the Canons of the General Church.
Motion carried
Resolutions adopted
Mr. Smitherman moved the following resolution and recommended adoption.
Resolution #19 - Changes to Canon 21. Parish And
Diocesan Registers
And Reports
Sec. 1
(a). It shall be the duty of every Minister of this Church to record
in the Parish Register all Baptisms, Confirmations, Receptions, Marriages,
Burials, and the names of all Communicants within his Cure.
(b). The registry of every Baptism shall be signed by the officiating
Minister.
(c). Every Minister of this Church in charge of a congregation shall have
recorded in the Parish Register a list of all persons who have been Confirmed
or Received; shall indicate upon the Parish Register each year the names
of those who have died in the past year or whose names have been removed
by letter of transfer; shall also indicate (1) those whose domicile is
unknown, and (2) those whose domicile is known but are inactive; and shall
maintain as far as practicable a list of all families and persons within
the Cure of such Minister which list shall remain in the Parish for the
use of any successor.
Sec. 2.(a). Not later than March 1 of each year, the Clergy in Charge
or the Senior Warden of each Parish or each Mission shall make, upon
the blank form provided by the Executive Council and furnished by the
Secretary of the Diocese, an accurate report to the Secretary, including:
[Remaining sections are unchanged.]
Motion carried
Resolutions adopted
Mr. Smitherman moved the following resolution and recommended adoption.
Resolution #20 - Changes to Canon 28. Of Licensed Lay Persons
Sec. 1 Lay Ministers requiring licensing in accordance with Title III,
Canon 3 of the Canons of the Episcopal Church shall be encouraged in this
diocese and said licensing shall be in compliance with the above Canon
and in conformity with the training required by this Diocese. Such ministries
shall include Lay Reader, Pastoral Leader, Lay Preacher, Lay Eucharistic
Minister (either that commonly called "Chalice Bearer" or "Lay
Eucharistic Visitor"), and Catechist.
Sec. 2. Lay Ministers shall be trained as required by the (a) Canons
of the General Church, and (b) the written policy of the Bishop (as
amended from time to time).
Sec. 3. (a) No Licensing shall be required of Lectors. A Lector shall
be appointed by the Member of the Clergy in charge of the congregation
in which the Lector is to serve.
Sec. 4 A Lector is a person trained in reading the Word and appointed
without license by the Member of the Clergy in charge of the Congregation
to read lessons or to lead the Prayers of the People.
Motion carried
Resolutions adopted
Mr. Smitherman moved the following resolution and recommended adoption.
Resolution #21 - Canon 29. Alteration Of Constitution Or Canons
Sec. 1 (NOTE: Previously Sec. 3 of Canon 9) All proposed amendments
to the Constitution or Canons of the Diocese shall be submitted to the
Committee on Constitution and Canons for its recommendations before the
same are considered at the Annual Convention.
Sec. 2. All proposed amendments to the Constitution or Canons of the
Diocese shall be submitted to the Committee on Constitution and Canons
to be reported upon at least 60 days before the Annual Convention.
Sec. 3. Whenever there shall be a repealing clause in any Canon, and
the said Canon shall be repealed, such repeal shall not operate as a
reviver of the repealed Canon.
Motion carried
Resolutions adopted
Mr. Smitherman moved the following resolution and recommended adoption
of a substitute.
Original Text
Resolution #22 - Canon 16. Deployment Of Parish Clergy
Sec. 1. Whenever the office of Rector of a Parish shall become open
it shall be the duty of the Vestry to give immediate notice thereof to
the Bishop who shall render the Vestry such assistance as may be in the
power of the Bishop in filling the opening.
Sec. 2. (a) It shall be the duty of the Vestry to make arrangements
for maintaining the services of the Church during the interim period
of the opening. In consultation with and under the guidance of the Bishop,
the Vestry shall employ a Priest during that time under one of the following
three classifications:
Supply - A Priest who conducts weekday and Sunday worship services.
Extended Supply - A Priest who conducts weekday and Sunday worship
services and provides pastoral care in emergencies.
Interim Rector - A Priest with parish experience and interim
ministry skills and training, who can give guidance to parishes during
an interim period, and who understands and is trained to respond to
dynamics and issues that may exist during the interim period. The Vestry
and the Interim Rector shall enter into a Letter of Agreement which
sets forth the responsibilities, stipend, and allowances of the Interim
Rector and which shall be approved and signed by the Bishop. The Letter
of Agreement shall be made a part of the Vestry's minutes.
(b) Under special circumstances as determined by the Bishop, the Bishop
may offer a parish the appointment of a Priest-in-Charge Under Special
Circumstances. The following standards are established for the relationship
among the Parish, the Priest-in-Charge Under Special Circumstances and
the Bishop:
1. The Bishop shall appoint the Priest-in-Charge Under Special Circumstances
with the consent of the Vestry.
2. The Parish, Priest-in-Charge Under Special Circumstances, and the
Bishop shall enter into a Letter of Agreement which shall follow diocesan
guidelines for such agreements.
3. The length of the relationship shall be for a maximum of three years.
The length may be shortened at the discretion of the Bishop.
4. An evaluation of the relationship shall be conducted by the office
of the Bishop at six month intervals.
5. The Parish shall engage in a self-study during the relationship,
and shall begin or continue a search for a Rector pursuant to diocesan
guidelines when authorized by the Bishop. After consultation and with
approval of the Bishop, the Priest-in-Charge Under Special Circumstances
may be called as Rector.
Sec. 3. In case the Vestry of a Parish fails to make arrangements for
maintaining the services of the Church during the period of an opening
the Bishop shall have the power to send such Clergy as may be available
for that purpose, and, in all such cases, the Clergy so sent shall have
access to the Church.
Sec. 4. If the office of Rector of a Parish becomes open, the Vestry
shall call a Rector, but such call shall be subject to the provisions
of this Canon, viz:
(a). Notice shall be given the Bishop by the Vestry not more than ten
days after the opening occurs, and the Vestry shall conduct the interim
period and search for a Rector in consultation with the Bishop and with
the guidance of the Bishop and of any diocesan guidelines for those
activities.
(b). Unless the Bishop permits otherwise, no call shall be issued until
thirty days after the identity of the Priest whom the Vestry proposes
to call has been made known to the Bishop, and the Vestry shall have
met and considered any communication received from the Bishop.
(c). Written notice of the election of a new Rector shall be sent to
the Bishop. If the Bishop be satisfied that the person so chosen is
a duly qualified Priest and that the Priest has accepted the office,
the notice will be sent to the Secretary of the Convention, who shall
record it.
(d). The Vestry and the Rector shall enter into a Letter of Agreement
which sets forth the responsibilities, stipend, and allowances of the
Rector, as well as other matters pertaining to the relationship of Rector
and Parish. Further, the Letter of Agreement shall be approved and signed
by the Bishop, and it shall be made a part of the Vestry's minutes.
Sec. 5. All other ordained ministers of a Parish shall be under the
jurisdiction of the Rector, who shall have the power to appoint or to
dismiss them, provided that:
(a). Unless the Bishop permits otherwise, the Rector may not appoint
a member of clergy as an Assistant Minister until thirty days after
the Bishop has been given notice of the Rector's intent and of the identity
of the proposed Assistant Minister.
(b). The stipend and allowances of the Assistant shall be fixed by the
Vestry, which must create and may abolish the office to be filled.
(c) An Assistant Minister of a Parish is ineligible to become the Rector
of the Parish. Assistant Ministers shall serve at the discretion of
the Rector and may not serve beyond the period of service of the Rector,
provided that pending the call of a new Rector, an Assistant Minister
may continue to serve at the request of the Vestry and under conditions
as determined by the Vestry and the Bishop, and further provided that
Assistant Ministers so serving shall offer their resignations upon the
beginning of the service of the new Rector.
Sec. 6. A Priest not canonically resident in the Diocese may be called
as a Rector, and a Priest or a Deacon as an Assistant Minister, only
with prior permission of the Bishop, said permission to be confirmed
in writing.
Committee Substitute
CANON 16. CALLING OF RECTORS
Sec. 1. Whenever the office of Rector of a Parish shall become open
it shall be the duty of the Vestry to give immediate notice thereof
to the Bishop, who shall render the Vestry such assistance as maybe
in the power of the Bishop in filling the opening.
Sec. 2. In case the Vestry of an open Parish fails to make arrangements
for maintaining the services of the Church during the opening, the Bishop
shall have the power to send such Clergy as may be available for that
purpose, and, in all such cases, the Clergy so sent shall have access
to the Church.
Sec. 3. If the office of Rector of a Parish becomes open, the Vestry
shall call a Rector, but such call shall be subject to the provisions
of this Canon, viz:
(a). Notice shall be given the Bishop by the Wardens and Vestry not
more than ten days after the opening occurs, and the Vestry shall seek
and consider the guidance of the Bishop in seeking a Rector.
(b). Unless the Bishop permits otherwise, no call shall be issued until
thirty days after the identity of the Priest whom the Vestry proposes
to call has been made known to the Bishop, and the Vestry shall have
met and considered any communication received from the Bishop.
(c). To ensure mutual understanding, a covenant or letter of agreement
between the Rector and the Vestry, stipulating the stipend and allowances
of the Rector shall be signed by both Rector and Vestry, a copy spread
upon the minutes of the Vestry, and a copy furnished to the Bishop.
Sec. 4. All other ordained ministers of a Parish shall be under the
jurisdiction of the Rector, who shall have the power to appoint or to
dismiss them, provided that:
(a). Unless the Bishop permits otherwise, the Rector may not appoint
a member of clergy as an Assistant until thirty days after the Bishop
has been given notice of the Rector's intent and of the identity of
the proposed Assistant.
(b). The stipend and allowances of the Assistant shall be fixed by the
Vestry, which must create and may abolish the office to be filled.
(c). Upon the call of a new Rector, it is the obligation of all Assistant
Clergy to offer their resignations.
Sec. 5. A Priest not canonically resident in the Diocese may be called
as a Rector, and a Priest or a Deacon as an Assistant to the Rector,
only with prior permission of the Bishop, said Permission to be confirmed
in writing.
Sec. 6. (a) It shall be the duty of the Vestry to make arrangements
for maintaining the services of the Church during the interim period
of the opening. In consultation with and under the guidance of the Bishop,
the Vestry shall employ a Priest during that time under one of the following
three classifications:
Supply - A Priest who conducts weekday and Sunday worship services.
Extended Supply - A Priest who conducts weekday and Sunday worship
services and provides pastoral care in emergencies.
Interim Rector - A Priest with parish experience and interim
ministry skills and training, who can give guidance to parishes during
an interim period, and who understands and is trained to respond to
dynamics and issues that may exist during the interim period. The Vestry
and the Interim Rector shall enter into a Letter of Agreement which
sets forth the responsibilities, stipend, and allowances of the Interim
Rector and which shall be approved and signed by the Bishop. The Letter
of Agreement shall be made a part of the Vestry's minutes.
(b) Under special circumstances as determined by the Bishop, the Bishop
may offer a parish the appointment of a Priest-in-Charge Under Special
Circumstances. The following standards are established for the relationship
among the Parish, the Priest-in-Charge Under Special Circumstances and
the Bishop:
1. The Bishop shall appoint the Priest-in-Charge Under Special Circumstances
with the consent of the Vestry.
2. The Parish, Priest-in-Charge Under Special Circumstances, and the
Bishop shall enter into a Letter of Agreement which shall follow diocesan
guidelines for such agreements.
3. The length of the relationship shall be for a maximum of three years.
The length may be shortened at the discretion of the Bishop.
4. An evaluation of the relationship shall be conducted by the office
of the Bishop at six month intervals.
5. The Parish shall engage in a self-study during the relationship,
and shall begin or continue a search for a Rector pursuant to diocesan
guidelines when authorized by the Bishop. After consultation and with
approval of the Bishop, the Priest-in-Charge Under Special Circumstances
may be called as Rector.
Motion carried
Resolutions adopted
Mr. Smitherman moved the following resolution and recommended adoption.
Resolution #23 - Canon __. Camp And Conference Center
Sec. 1 The management of the affairs of the diocesan camp and center
shall be provided by a Camp and Conference Center Board of Managers.
Sec. 2. The Camp and Conference Board of Managers shall consist of
no fewer than twelve persons appointed by the Bishop with the consent
of the Convention. The Bishop shall be an ex officio member of the Board,
and other ex officio members may be appointed as the Board deems necessary.
Board members shall serve for a term of three years, with the initial
Board to be appointed to staggered terms so that the terms of one third
of the Board shall expire each year. Members of the Board may serve
for successive terms.
Sec. 3 The Board shall report to the Convention annually on the affairs
of the Camp and Conference Center.
Motion carried
Resolutions adopted